Investing in Michigan’s growing economy.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Michigan Angel Summit. It was a great day with lots of actionable information provided by our guest speakers.
Michigan Angel Summit 2022 Agenda
9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Skip Simms, Managing Member, Michigan Angel Fund and Manager | Michigan Angel Community
Vice President | Ann Arbor SPARK
9:10 a.m.
Keynote Address
Peter Adams, Executive Director | Rockies Venture Club
9:45 a.m.
Where Are the Good Deals?
Session Sponsor: MEDC
Moderator:
Bill Mayer, Senior Vice President | Ann Arbor SPARK
Panelists:
Diane Durance, Executive VP | Michigan Capital Network
Fred Molnar, Sr. VP Entrepreneurial Services | MEDC
Michael Psarouthakis | University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships
Eric Roberts, Executive Director | 20 Fathoms
- This session will be a panel discussion among accelerator and SmartZone leaders about startup programs and services culminating in demo days and other event opportunities to meet potential investment opportunities.
10:25 a.m.
Company Pitch #1
Patrick Hines, CEO | Functional Fluidics
10:30 a.m.
What Makes a Good Deal?
Session Sponsor: Vivacqua Crane Intellectual Property Law
Skip Simms, Managing Member | Michigan Angel Fund
Tom Kinnear | Super Angel
- Fireside chat with a long-time angel investor
- What do we look for when making an early-stage company investment
11:00 a.m.
Board Responsibilities
Ralph Ward, Author
Board Seeker Guidebook and Board INSIDER newsletter
- Ralph Ward is an internationally-recognized speaker, writer, and advisor on the role of boards of directors, how “benchmark” boards excel, personal boardroom careers, and the future of governance.
11:30 a.m.
Bank Fraud
Patrick Geahan, SSRA | FBI Detroit/Ann Arbor
- Presentation on bank fraud and scams to watch out for when sending and receiving fund transfers.
- Is your portfolio company continuously training employees on how to avoid scams and malware?
- What kind of insurance is available and do you have it?
11:55 a.m.
Company Pitch #2
Don Goeman, CEO | Quint Workspaces
Noon
Lunch Break & Networking
Session Sponsor: Bessemer
- Enjoy a buffet lunch while visiting with other attendees.
1:00 p.m.
Company Pitch #3
Brenda Jones, CEO | Ulendo
1:05 p.m.
SAFE Notes
Terrence Reeves, Attorney | Go With Canvas
- Encore presentation from 2021 that details the differences between SAFEs and Convertible Debt
- Why SAFEs are good investment vehicles for investors
- Value caps and conversion mechanics
- Influence of coastal investors leading rounds with SAFES for MI companies
1:45 p.m.
Due Diligence
Session Sponsors: Varnum & Bodman
Matt Bower, Partner | Varnum Law
Joe Morrison, Partner | Bodman
- Encore presentation from 2021
- This duo gives a lawyer’s perspective on diligence items angels should to do for themselves.
- Plus, tips for saving money on your legal bill.
2:20 p.m.
Company Pitch #4
Mark Russell, CEO | CatalystXL
2:25 p.m.
Tax Incentives
Session Sponsor: Rehmann
Adam Williams, Partner | Rehmann
- Presentation on Federal tax credits under Sections 1202 and 1045
2:50 p.m.
Social Impact Investing
John Duong, CEO | Kind Capital
- Kind Capital’s mission is to drive positive impact on a billion vulnerable lives — prudently, conscientiously, sustainably, and profitably.
- To deliver on that mission, we leverage the full spectrum of impact investing tools in collaboration with leading stakeholder partners across the ecosystem to drive scalable, sustainable impact.
3:20 p.m.
Investing in Turbulent Times
Moderator:
Ara Topouzian, Executive Director | Michigan Venture Capital Assoc.
Panelists:
Michael Gross, Managing Partner | Beringea
Paul McCreadie, Partner | Arboretum Ventures
- Panel discussion about investing in early-stage companies in a challenging capital market and how VCs looking at investments over the next 12 months.
3:55 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Skip Simms, Managing Member, Michigan Angel Fund and Manager | Michigan Angel Community
Vice President | Ann Arbor SPARK
Keynote Speaker
Biography
Peter Adams
Angel Capital Association
Peter Adams is a Colorado-based author, investor, speaker, educator, and community leader. He is the Managing Director of the Rockies Venture Fund, a venture fund supporting high-growth early-stage companies in technology, healthcare, and life sciences. He is also the Executive Director of the Rockies Venture Club, one of the longest established angel investing organizations in the U.S., a board member and officer of the Angel Capital Association and the Angel Investor Foundation, and the author of Wiley & Sons’ Venture Capital for Dummies.
Peter Adams
Angel Capital Association
Peter serves as an officer on the board of the Angel Capital Association, the international association of professional angel investing groups. His professional career comprises of more than 30 years of business experience in corporate leadership and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Guest Speakers
Click images to view speaker bios.
Matt Bower
Varnum LLP
Biography
Matt is a partner with Varnum LLP and serves as outside general counsel to a wide range of emerging and middle market companies. His particular industry concentrations include software, SaaS, information technology, IoT, data analytics, and other technology-based companies.
Matt’s emerging companies practice focuses on capital fundraising and securities law compliance. He works closely with companies from cradle (formation and organization) to liquidity (sale or merger) and all stages of development in between. Matt’s experience in the early-stage capital markets includes fund representation, fund formation, and investments.
Matt is a member of Varnum’s Business and Corporate Services Practice Team and participates in the Intellectual Property, the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, and the Startup and Emerging Companies practice teams. He is also the lead partner of the firm’s Ann Arbor office.
John Duong
Kind Capital LC
Biography
John is the Founder of Kind Capital, an impact investing platform and investment firm to drive scalable sustainable impact profitably. He was formerly the Managing Director and Founder of Lumina Impact Ventures, the $50M impact investing arm of Lumina Foundation. Previously he was Program & Portfolio Officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, managing a $110+ million MRI and PRI investments portfolio across funds and direct investments, and making grants to further the field of impact investing. John started his career as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan, Citigroup and Merrill Lynch in various roles including M&A advisory, credit risk analysis, equity research, capital structure optimization and corporate finance in both debt and equity products. John has extensive for-profit and nonprofit board experience including Cell-Ed, Upswing,
BrightHive, Credly, Global Communities, Vitas Group, and AAPIP.
John earned his BA degree in economics and East Asian studies from Yale University and holds an Executive MBA, with a concentration in management and entrepreneurship, from the Kellogg School of Management. He holds Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses. Born in Cambodia, John immigrated to the U.S. at a young age. He and his parents are survivors of the Khmer Rouge concentration camp and were sponsored to the United States by the Catholic Sisters of St. Francis in La Crosse, WI where he grew up.
Diane Durance
Michigan Capital Network
Biography
Diane Durance
Michigan Capital Network
Diane Durance joined Michigan Capital Network as Executive Vice President in August 2021. Immediately prior to joining MCN, she was the director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington for five years. She began her career as an entrepreneur launching and growing three companies, including a telecommunications engineering firm, a contract publishing company, and a residential construction business. She founded an aquaculture venture in 2013 and was a finalist in the global Fish 2.0 venture forum for sustainable seafood. Prior to her work in North Carolina, she was president of Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest (GLEQ), a Michigan non-profit organization supported by the state to connect early-stage technology ventures with funding opportunities through support services, competitions, publications, and events. She was the executive director of Mi-Light, Michigan’s photonics industry association; served as an officer and board member of Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and New Enterprise Forum; on the MTEC SmartZone board of advisors in the Upper Peninsula; active in MichBio; and served as the Michigan chapter chair for the global Women Presidents’ Organization. She began her work with technology startups in Ann Arbor and with faculty spinouts from the University of Michigan in 2005 as president of the Ann Arbor IT Zone. She holds a BBA and MPA, both from Southern Methodist University.
SSRA Patrick M Geahan
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Biography
Supervisory Special Agent Patrick M Geahan is the current supervisor of the FBI office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During his 17 years with the agency he’s investigated white collar and cyber-based crime, and has served as a full-time instructor for cyber investigators. SSA Geahan holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree in Information Security and Assurance from Carnegie Mellon University. He is the 2019 recipient of the FBI’s Medal of Excellence and is a 2020 finalist for the President’s Cup for Cybersecurity.
Michael Gross
Beringea
Biography
Michael is responsible for investment sourcing, deal execution and portfolio management at Beringea, with a focus on healthcare, enterprise software, and sustainability. Michael serves as a board director for Beringea portfolio companies Genomenon, dscout, Delphinus Medical Technologies, Freeosk, Micro-LAM and Fiber By-Products, and is a board observer for Orbion Space Technology. Previous portfolio companies include InTouch Health (acquired by Teladoc Health), Sharecare (NASDAQ:SHCR), Rethink Autism (acquired by K1), Ranir (acquired by Perrigo), Intervention Insights (acquired by NeoGenomics, Inc.), Xanitos (acquired by Angeles Equity Partners), Pioneer Surgical Technologies (acquired by RTI Biologics), and MI Bioresearch (acquired by LabCorp). Michael served as Chairman of the Board of the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Prior to joining Beringea, Michael was a vice president of investment banking with P&M Corporate Finance (PMCF) with a focus on life sciences, health care and outsourced business services sectors. He is a CFA charterholder and earned a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University.
Patrick C. Hines, MD/PhD
Functional Fluidics
Biography
Patrick C. Hines, MD/PhD
Functional Fluidics
Dr. Hines has spent over 20 years investigating the mechanisms regulating microvascular blood flow in sickle cell disease, including sickle erythrocyte adhesion, leukocyte rolling, and platelet function. He has authored numerous publications in this field and was among the first to describe the ability of soluble stress mediators to rapidly increase the adhesive properties of sickle erythrocytes, advancing our understanding of how stress induces microvascular blood flow changes in individuals with sickle cell disease. He is internationally recognized for his efforts to develop and validate a gold standard for the assessment of red blood cell health in clinical practice, work that grew out of patient care challenges he experienced as a pediatric intensivist.
In 2014, Dr. Hines founded Functional Fluidics, a biotech company developing red blood cell health diagnostic platforms that are currently being used by some of the largest medical centers in the U.S. and the majority of pharmaceutical companies developing red blood cell-modifying therapies. Functional Fluidics has validated the first blood-based biomarkers shown to predict vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease, and can be used to monitor patient response to red blood cell modifying therapies. Dr. Hines and his team are using red blood cell function biomarkers to identify early changes in red blood cell health, helping healthcare providers to intervene earlier, and focus on health maintenance rather than crisis management. He is also leading an effort to validate the role of red blood cell function in congenital heart disease, diabetic vasculopathy, and aerobic capacity in high-performance athletes, and has received NIH support to better understand the importance of RBC health for patients on ECMO and ventricular assist devices, validate predictive biomarkers of preterm birth and low birth weight, and assess storage lesions in blood banked RBCs. Most recently, his team has started to explore the relationship of red blood cell health to long haul COVID-19 affecting millions of individuals around the world.
In recognition of his work, Dr. Hines was selected as an Aspen Health Innovation Fellow within the Aspen Global Leadership Network, chosen as a Crain’s Healthcare Hero, and received the Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 award, an honor rarely given to physician leaders. He completed both his fellowship in critical care medicine and pediatrics residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He received his M.D. degree and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Hampton University.
Thomas C. Kinnear
University of Michigan
Ross Business School
Biography
Thomas C. Kinnear
University of Michigan Ross Business School
Thomas C. Kinnear is D. Maynard Phelps Professor of Business Emeritus at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He was formally founding Executive Director of the Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, former Senior Associate Dean at the Ross School of Business, and former Vice President for Development and Executive Officer for the University. He holds an undergraduate degree and LLD (honoris causa) from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, an MBA from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
He is former President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Venture Michigan Corporation, a $450 million venture capital fund of funds. He was a founding Board member of the Michigan Venture Capital Association and the Ann Arbor Angels. He co-founded and was one of the angel funders and board member for Network Express, one of the early broadband companies, and was the lead angel funder and board member of Bluegill Technologies, an internet bill payment company. He was a one of two lead angel funders and board member of Accuri Cytometers, a medical instrument company for cell analysis. He was an angel investor in CelSee, a biologic cell analysis company. All these companies experience very positive exits for their investors. He is currently an active angel investor and board member in additional startup companies including Epsilon Imaging, a cardiac imaging company, and Plinqit, a fintech company. He is an investor and a member of the due diligence committee of the Michigan Angel Fund (MAF), and active member of the Ann Arbor Angels. He is a limited partner and advisor for numerous early-stage venture funds.
Bill Mayer
Ann Arbor SPARK
Biography
Bill Mayer
Ann Arbor SPARK
Bill has led the SPARK Entrepreneur Services Team since 2010. During his tenure, the ES Team has grown from three to 10 members as well as adding new programs and growing the overall Entrepreneurship support budget from an annual amount of $1.4MM to $6.25MM.
Before joining SPARK, Bill founded or joined multiple startups including a custom loft company while at U of M, an optics startup, and a web-based conference registration software company, and then founded an advisory practice that focused on helping business owners and leaders evaluate options for sourcing growth capital along with strategy development.
Bill has also held a series 7 license which allowed him to manage over $250MM in client assets before selling that component of his business to focus on the advice side of his work in 2006. During this time he was involved in the IPO process along with options and derivatives strategy.
This work laid the foundation for the help he provides to technology-focused startups in the Ann Arbor region today.
Paul McCreadie
Arboretum Ventures
Biography
Paul McCreadie
Arboretum Ventures
Paul oversees Arboretum’s investment process and leads the firm’s operations. His investing activities focus on capital-efficient health IT and service companies applying technology to underserved markets. Paul currently serves as a board director for Cardiac Dimensions, Allay Therapeutics, Vydence Medical, and Delphinus Medical Technologies. He is also the former Chief Operating Officer for CerviLenz (now Lucina), where he led the design of the company’s first commercial product from concept to launch.
Prior to Arboretum, Paul held management positions at Ford Motor Company within product development, manufacturing, and business strategy. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board for the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation at the University of Michigan and the Michigan Venture Capital Association board of directors.
Paul earned a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Fredrick Molnar
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Biography
Fredrick Molnar
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Executive Director of the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center (MLSIC), a 70,000 ft2 incubator run by the MEDC in Plymouth Michigan. The Entrepreneurship team works with universities, tech service providers and early-stage funding providers to support tech and innovative start-ups to help grow and diversify the Michigan economy. Oversee the 20 legislatively authorized SmartZones across the state.
35 years’ experience working in the private sector with life science companies both large and small. Before MEDC, was COO at iCyt Mission Technology, a life science startup spun-off from the University of Illinois that successfully exited when acquired by Sony Corporation of Japan. Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Service at Sony Biotechnology. Also founded, operated and successfully sold a local small business – Champion Gymnastics based in Ann Arbor, MI.
Education: AS in Electronics – Henry Ford, BS in Biology – Wayne State University, MBA – Eastern Michigan University
Joseph R. Morrison, Jr.
Bodman PLC
Biography
Joseph R. (Joe) Morrison, Jr., represents high-growth companies in an outside general counsel capacity. He focuses on emerging companies that leverage technology to build their business and brand. He also represents venture capital firms and high net worth individuals that invest in high-growth companies. His business and technology background gives him the ability to deftly advise ambitious entrepreneurs facing legal and business challenges.
Joe has experience negotiating a wide range of financing transactions, including venture investment rounds, and company sale transactions. He also assists companies with their general operational concerns ranging from negotiating leases and customer or supplier contracts to intellectual property licensing to employment issues. He represents dozens of companies that have licensed technology from University Tech Transfer offices.
Before joining Bodman, Joe worked for Accenture as an information technology consultant in Washington, D.C. He also served as corporate counsel and consulting manager for a Michigan-based IT startup, where he
helped scale the company to 50+ employees and $3 million in revenue.
Joe is active in the Ann Arbor startup scene and regularly presents to student and local startup groups and University of Michigan classes on legal issues facing young, high growth companies.
Joe serves on the board of directors of New Enterprise Forum in Ann Arbor. He is a member of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) Business Law Advisory Board and New Lawyers Advisory Board. He is listed in Michigan Rising Stars 2021 under Business/Corporate.
HONORS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITION
• Business Magazine “Top Lawyers” 2021, Information Technology Law
• The Best Lawyers in America: Ones tohNatch 2021-2022, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
• Michigan Rising Stars 2016-2021, Business/Corporate
CIVIC, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
• Business Law Advisory Board
• New Lawyers Advisory Board
• University of Michigan Law School’s Alumni-Student Mentoring Program
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• State Bar of Michigan
• Business Law Section
PUBLICATIONS
• Co-author (with Garret M. Haddon, I1), “New COVID Relief Bill – Expanded worker benefits; payroll tax changes,” Bodman COVID-19 Response Team Update, January 2021
• Co-Author (with Nicholas P. McElhinny and Michael S.Melfi), “SBA Disaster Loan Program for Michigan Business Owners,.” Bodman COVID-19 Response Team Update, March 2020
Michael Psarouthakis
University of Michigan
Innovation Partnerships
Biography
Mike Psarouthakis
Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan
Mike is the Director of the Innovation Partnerships Ventures team working with U-M faculty, staff, and students on new company formation that is based on intellectual property discovered and developed at the University of Michigan’s 19 schools and three campuses. He is also the Managing Director of the Accelerate Blue Fund, and oversees the MTRAC Advanced Transportation, MTRAC Life Sciences, and Tech Transfer Talent Network commercialization grant programs in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Mike has over 30 years of entrepreneurial, senior management, and venture fund experience in both the public and private sectors.
Before joining the University of Michigan, Mike was the Vice President of Business Acceleration at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation where he oversaw a $250 million portfolio of investments in over 150 early-stage technology companies. Prior to the MEDC, he was an Assistant Vice President at Forest Health Services where he managed a $50 million corporate venture fund that focused on life sciences, IT, and manufacturing opportunities.
Mike has directed several successful company exits and is the founder of four companies. He has served on numerous profit and non-profit boards and advisory boards including; eBay, PayPal, Compendia Biosciences, Online Technologies, the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, and the Ann Arbor Local Development Financial Authority.
Mike earned his MBA with concentrations in corporate strategy and marketing and MS in natural resource management from the University of Michigan. He also holds a BS in history and political science from Eastern Michigan University.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpsarouthakis
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Psarouthakis
Ara Topouzian
Michigan Venture Capital Association
Biography
Ara Topouzian
Michigan Venture Capital Association
Since 2019, Ara Topouzian serves as Executive Director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association. In his leadership role at MVCA, Topouzian advocates for Michigan’s entrepreneurial and venture investor community with legislative and government officials and promotes Michigan venture investment opportunities to regional and national markets. He also supports membership growth, guides program development, and sets the strategic direction for the organization.
A strategic leader experienced in both private and public industry sectors, Ara is accomplished in the field of economic development for municipalities. He has a successful track record in attracting international corporations as well as retaining small and large businesses to the area. He is a visionary who excels in the creation and implementation of organizational structure and processes. Ara is a relationship builder who astutely cultivates and utilizes relationships to create win-win situations for all involved parties. His proven abilities in marketing, leadership, and operations have made him a creative thinker and problem solver who consistently delivers business growth and development for entities represented. He is also skilled in association management and membership development. To that end, he has presented, moderated, and facilitated small and large groups, including service organizations, colleges, libraries, associations, and more.
For more than six years, Topouzian was the City of Novi Economic Development Director, responsible for marketing to and communicating with 2,000-plus large and small businesses by providing them with important local, regional, state, and federal resources. During his tenure in Novi, Topouzian was responsible for business attraction projects valued in excess of $100 million in investment, as well as directing the city’s current economic development goals and objectives in both attraction and retention efforts.
For six years, Topouzian was the President and CEO of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, responsible for overseeing one of Oakland County’s strongest Chambers with more than 650 members, as well as expanding the Chamber’s role as a champion for small and large businesses. he led Troy Chamber into financial prosperity as well as increased membership and retention as well as elevate the quality of programs and events for its membership.
Terrence J.L. Reeves
Go With Canvas, PLLC
Biography
Terrence J.L. Reeves
Go With Canvas, PLLC
Terrence J.L. Reeves is a member of IrishAngels, a Chicago-based leading angel group that invests in early-stage startups across the U.S. He most recently served as chairman of the group’s board of directors. Terrence is also a co-founder Commune Angels, a Detroit-based, inclusion missioned angel community that invests in U.S.-based scalable software, consumer products and life science companies. Commune leverages inclusion to drive better outcomes for investors, portfolio companies and their customers.
Terrence is a partner at Go With Canvas, PLLC, a boutique law firm singularly focused on emerging technologies and venture capital. His practice includes representing startups and growth-stage companies at all stages of development, and the investors that fund them. Terrence advises clients across a broad range of industries, including enterprise cloud, B2B and B2C software, digital health, tech-enabled consumer products, cyber-security, and mobility.
Terrence received his B.S. from Eastern Michigan University and J.D. from Wayne State University Law School, where he focused his studies on corporate law. He also earned an M.B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and studied venture capital at Wharton. Once a high school dropout, Terrence is a frequent speaker on angel investing, venture capital and entrepreneurship in the region.
He is a native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and a graduate of Michigan Technological University. After years spent in Chicago and Silicon Valley, Eric and his family returned to Michigan and made Traverse City their home. He is active in the community and a member investor with Northern Michigan Angels.
In his spare time, Eric enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, skiing, and hunting, as well as cooking, grilling, and baking.
Eric Roberts
20Fathoms
Biography
Eric Roberts
Executive Director, 20Fathoms
Eric leads strategy and operations for 20Fathoms, providing critical resources that support the success of the region’s entrepreneurs and tech professionals. With 25 years of experience in technology and business operations, he has a passion for working with startups to achieve excellence in execution so they can thrive.
Prior to joining 20Fathoms, Eric served as Vice President of Revenue Operations at Saba Software. Previous positions included executive roles at BlackBerry, Good Technology, and Motorola Mobility.
He is a native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and a graduate of Michigan Technological University. After years spent in Chicago and Silicon Valley, Eric and his family returned to Michigan and made Traverse City their home. He is active in the community and a member investor with Northern Michigan Angels.
In his spare time, Eric enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, skiing, and hunting, as well as cooking, grilling, and baking.
Skip Simms
Ann Arbor SPARK
Biography
Skip Simms
As Senior Vice President of Ann Arbor SPARK, Skip works with technology startups and early-stage companies. He focuses on preparing start-ups for equity fundraising.
He is the Managing Member of the for-profit Michigan Angel Fund which invests in Michigan-based technology companies that are capital efficient. The Michigan Angel Fund is the state’s largest angel group with 140 high-net-worth individuals looking for an above-average return while helping grow and diversify the state’s economy.
Skip has been successful in raising over $26 million in grants through the state’s 21st Century Jobs Fund program for the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund. This program provided very early-stage start-ups with small loans and matching investments of up to $250,000.
Prior to his role at Ann Arbor SPARK, Skip was the Managing General Partner at the Ralph Wilson Equity Fund, which was a $31 million fund-of-funds with LP investments in several venture capital funds. RWEF also made side-by-side direct investments in several early-stage companies.
Skip has 29 years of experience serving in management positions at several television stations around the country. His last position was President and General Manager of a Charter Fox affiliate in Indiana owned by Ralph Wilson Enterprises. During his time there, he started the market’s first independent news operation and directed the network affiliation switch to CBS.
In 2018 he was recognized in the first annual dBusiness magazine list of Detroit’s 500 most powerful people. Skip participates on both profit and non-profit boards, and was a founding member of the Michigan Venture Capital Association.
Ralph Ward
Boardroom INSIDER
Biography
Ralph Ward is an internationally-recognized speaker, writer, and advisor on the role of boards of directors, how “benchmark”
boards excel, setting personal boardroom goals, and the future of governance worldwide.
Ward is publisher of the online newsletter Boardroom INSIDER, the worldwide source for practical, first-hand advice on better boards and directors (www.boardroominsider.com). He also edits The Corporate Board magazine (https://www.corporateboard.com/) the nation’s leading corporate governance journal — corporate subscribers are directors and senior officers across the U.S. and in 27 foreign countries.
He is author of six acclaimed books on board and governance for today’s corporate boards, the challenges they face, and the answers they need to excel: • Board Seeker Guidebook (2018) • Boardroom Q&A (2011) • The New Boardroom Leaders (2008) • Saving the Corporate Board (2003) • Improving Corporate Boards: The Boardroom INSIDER Guidebook (2000) • 21st Century Corporate Board (1997)
Ward speaks and conducts trainings worldwide on board and governance issues, including his multi-day “boardroom masterclass” program. Media appearances include TheStreet.com, CNNfn, C-SPAN, Voice of America, Bloomberg, National Public Radio, Marketplace and CNBC. He writes and comments on boardroom matters for publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Across the Board, Crains, Vital Speeches, the Detroit Free Press, Barons’ and INC.com.
Ward also serves as a freelance consultant with business intelligence firm GLG and others on client board search and career issues. He serves on several advisory and non-profit boards.
Adam Williams
Rehmann
Biography
Adam Williams has more than 20 years of experience in taxation. Prior to joining Rehmann’s Ann Arbor office in 2014, Adam spent the first 15 years of his career providing services at “Big 4” firms. First, working for five years with PwC in San Francisco and then ten years with Deloitte’s Detroit office.
Throughout his career, Adam has served a wide variety of publicly and privately held companies. He focuses on closely held businesses, real estate, high net worth individuals and tax-exempt entities with an emphasis on tax planning and transactions. In addition to serving the Ann Arbor market, Adam works as a firm-wide resource on tax law changes, transactional tax matters, and accounting for income taxes.
Adam is a member of both the MICPA and AICPA. Adam is a frequent presenter at MICPA and other educational events covering topics such as changes in tax law, the qualified business income deduction, accounting for income taxes, and
international taxation.
Adam is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Adam earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Eastern Michigan University, a Masters in Accountancy from Western Michigan University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Indiana University – Bloomington School of Law.
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